Victorian "QUACK MEDICINE" Areca Nut Tooth Paste 1880

This is a fascinating toothpaste pot, circa 1880, salvaged from a Victorian tip in England. It once contained Areca Nut Toothpaste, one of the early varieties of toothpaste used in Britain. Tooth cleaning first become a hygenic standard in 18th century England, primarily for the upper classes, and was accomplished with a variety of strange tools. Tooth paste began appearing in the 19th century, and was marketed in these beautiful pots beginning in the 1880s, when nearly every chemist or pharmacist began formulating his own recipe and printing their own pots for advertising. A popular formulation using ground Areca Nut, which cleaned the teeth with a mild abrasive action. Little did people know, however, that Areca Nut is also an effective deworming agent!

The pot lid and base was made in the Staffordshire district and is transfer printed in black. The attractive lid bears the name of the product and some boastful claims.

The little pot measures 2 7/8" wide and stands 1 3/8" tall. It is in great condition . The Quack Doctor capitalized further by allowing advertising to the inside of his lids.